A Torquay hockey pitch is kicking up a storm with construction underway on the new facility, allowing more people to play the game they love.
Construction on the Banyul-Warri Fields Hockey Pitch is expected to be completed early next year and will feature a synthetic hockey pitch with LED lighting, sheltered spectator seating and a new car park.
Torquay Tornadoes Hockey Club vice-president Andrew Crowley said he had advocated for a closer venue for members to play and train on since 2012, with the club currently based at Corio’s Stead Park.
“The travel commitment has made it difficult for us to recruit kids and retain players because people don’t want to make that trip,” he said.
“We were incredibly fortunate that Torquay was identified for a new hockey venue given the level of planning that has gone into this project over time.
“One of our goals is to recruit lifelong hockey players and this new facility means we can do that… and people have already started returning to the club because they know there’s a ground coming.”
Mr Crowley said the new pitch would allow more people and kids to get involved in playing hockey, which was a sport that everyone could play.
“The most exciting part is that we’re going to be able to attract players from all over the Surf Coast, from places like Aireys Inlet, Moriac and Winchelsea,” he said.
“Our aim is to increase participation by 20 per cent in year one. This growth is anticipated to come from under eight and under 10 programs, social hockey and people returning to hockey.”
The pitch will be delivered by Surf Coast Shire Council thanks to funding through the state government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
